College student seeks Hampton City Council seat

Ryan Taylor-Fontes is 20 years old

April 24, 2014|By Robert Brauchle, rbrauchle@dailypress.com | By Robert Brauchle, rbrauchle@dailypress.com

HAMPTON — Holding a wireless microphone that can't seem to stay on, Ryan Taylor-Fontes, looked down and lamented "these never seem to work."

Without hesitation, he continued on with his point about education during an April 21 candidates forum. Taylor-Fontes would know something about school. He's 20 years old and a student at Thomas Nelson Community College.

He will be the youngest candidate on any ballot on the Peninsula on May 6. He is one of seven candidates seeking a full four-year term on the Hampton City Council.

In Newport News, Curtis Bethany III is 22 years old. He is seeking the at-large seat on the School Board. Williamsburg City Councilman Scott Foster is seeking re-election at age 26.

Taylor-Fontes is three decades younger than any of his Hampton opponents. He was born in 1994 — the year Disney's "The Lion King" appeared in theaters.

Hampton's elected leaders have repeatedly said the city needs to engage younger people who care about their community.

"What he's doing up here should be commended," Vice Mayor Linda Curtis said during the April 21 forum. Curtis is campaigning for the two-year term City Council seat against Edwin Boone.

Taylor-Fontes splits his time between attending classes and going door-to-door for his campaign. He keeps an extra bow tie for forums in his 1990s Volkswagen, a vehicle he describes as his "dream car."

"It feels good being around people who are dressed so well," he quipped at a candidate forum. "At college, everyone is usually still in their pajamas."

Taylor-Fontes said he began attending City Council meetings when he was 14.

"I want to be involved, and I want to make a difference in this city for a long time," he said. "I want to see this city become a place where people want to be – we have a lot of potential."

His campaign has focused on marketing Hampton's history, creating arts and cultural opportunities in downtown and Phoebus, and making education a higher priority.

"I will have degrees and experience, and that comes with time," he said. "But I understand that being on City Council takes drive and passion, and I think I have what it takes."

He is facing a field of challengers including two incumbents and candidates who hold appointed positions on city committees. He has also not purchased a significant number of yard signs or pamphlets to distribute to voters.

"I've had doors slammed in my face," he said. "But then I've met a lot of people who genuinely care about the city and just want to talk about the issues."

The State Board of Elections does not track the age of candidates, so it's unclear whether he's the youngest candidate statewide this May. Taylor-Fontes' age, though, precludes him from running for the General Assembly, statewide office or any federal offices, said Board of Elections administrator Edgardo Cortes.

Taylor-Fontes is not the youngest candidate in Hampton's recent history. That designation belongs to Ross Mugler, who ran for City Council in 1980 at the age of 18.

Mugler, now the city's commissioner of revenue, and Taylor-Fontes both graduated from Kecoughtan High School.

"Ryan graduated with my son Will," Mugler said. "I've known him for a few years. ... He has a strong sense of community, and a deep love of Hampton's history when very few kids have an interest in the subject matter."

Mugler, who was unsuccessful in a field of 18 candidates, said he learned a valuable lesson during his campaign.

"Win or lose, you want to leave voters with a favorable impression of you," he said, "because this will follow you wherever you go."

Ryan Taylor-Fontes

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Education: Graduate Kecoughtan High School, student at Thomas Nelson Community College

Previous elected office: None

Family: Mother Amy

For more coverage of Hampton's May 6 election, go to http://www.dailypress.com/hampton.